Activity Report of Open Application Program 2021 vol.14 (Online)
Encouraging International Exchange Online
Report from the Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University
During 2021, three programs were held online due to the impact of COVID-19 bringing changes to the invitation program. The exchange schools that took part in the program include the University of Muntinlupa City (CDM) in the Philippines and Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) in Thailand. The online programs were held as project-based learning exchange programs since parts of the original program including the facilities tour and other tours were restricted. Because CDM was a college with only an engineering department, the topic of the discussion between CDM and Waseda University's faculty of human sciences needed one which both sides could take part in. Therefore, the chosen topic was "Will science and technology make humanity happy?" Two separate discussions with PIM included the topics "Diversity and Inclusion" and "Using science and technology to solve problems related to food safety and environmental issues" which were discussed mainly with the students from the faculty of business administration.
①Features of the Exchange Activities
All three programs were held as project-based learning exchange programs. The process of the exchange activities consisted of choosing a topic of discussion and preparing a lecture about the topic that would include specific examples, literature references, group case studies and presented learning outcomes to maximize effective learning. For example, during the topic discussion with CDM titled "Will science and technology make humanity happy?" lectures about solving problems related to walking difficulty that comes with ageing and the current state of universal design for the elderly, "Positive computing" were presented by the students from CDM while students from Waseda University presented a lecture about "Thinking of art and manufacturing." The students were then asked to consider and analyze examples from their own countries which were related to the issues brought up in the lectures. Each 5 groups then finally presented their examples and findings to other students.
This process is also characterized by allowing students to experience and understand the significance of collaboration when faced with questions like "What kind of role division should be decided upon going forward working as a group." Teaching assistants played a large role in assuring that the group work among students went smoothly. The teaching assistants provided support such as introducing the software that was used to aid this online collaboration, providing diverse perspectives during discussion, and also providing psychological support to the students who needed it. Creating a learning process starting from task setting, and utilization of teaching assistants supporting it were truly essential.
②Program Results
Participants from all three programs rated the program highly. We have received comments from faculty members who participated in the program saying that thanks to the chosen assignments and projects related to each student's field of study presented in the program, they could hope to see a more varied perspective from students about their studies and future job choices. They also said that they could hope to see a wider perspective from students regarding the international field.
CDM has applied for the 2022 program invitation program after concluding a bilateral agreement with Waseda University shortly after this program took place. It should also be noted that although a bilateral agreement with PIM already existed and that the exchange among university students was successfully held, there have also been requests from students at PIM's affiliated high schools to participate, increasing the scope of the exchange to high school-university cooperation. We have also seen more interest in studying abroad in Japan from the high school students who participated. There were students also talking and considering about working at Japanese companies or pursuing a career in Japan during one of the topics "Diversity Management". This can be considered a result from continuing to provide exchange activities.
A lecture by an instructor from PIM about the problems related to food safety and environmental issues was given for the first time. Because of this special occasion there were about 100 people outside PIM's program's participants who also wanted to attend the lecture about the recycling and reuse of water and food safety. This highlighted the benefits and practicality of having exchange activities online further, by allowing people outside the program to listen to the lecture. It was clear that having these online exchanges was an effective way and opportunity to further exchange activities in general.
③Future Prospects
The online exchange conducted in 2021 has effectively demonstrated that exchange lectures between Waseda University and CDM or PIM could be held. For example, during the lecture with CDM, the students were tasked to solve current issues presented to them through topics and it appeared as though through collaboration, that the students could complement each other in completing the task even with their differing faculties. Similarly, it is possible to have lectures with PIM's differing faculties if the topics presented in the lectures are about psychology and human behavior. We hope to see that these student exchanges will develop to new research exchanges based on the current bilateral agreements with the education institutions.
We are currently planning to develop the master's degree course in English which is planned to start from 2022 at the faculty of human sciences (EDICS) for prospective exchange students at Waseda University since it was apparent that high school-university exchange programs with PIM could be possible which may lead to increased interest in exchange programs. Online exchanges will serve as the basis for these school-university exchange programs.
Finally, we would like to mention that the online exchanges through the Sakura Science Exchange Program have not only been an opportunity for participants to learn, but it has been a great opportunity in furthering developments in university education. We highly recommend online international exchanges and would like to thank everyone who was involved with the program including JST and other collaborators.
